Electric controlling apparatus



Apr-i116, 192.9. E. E. LITTLEFIELD ELECTRIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS FiledOct. 5. 1919 5] nve nto'o Patented Apr. 16, 1929;

PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR EARLE LITTLEFIELD, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

, ELECTRIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Application filed October 3, 1919. Serial lt'o. 328,305.

This application contains subject matter common to Patents No. 1,335,380and No. 1,404,155 issued to applicant herein Mch. 30, 1920 and J an. 17,1922 respectively.

My invention relates to electrical apparatus particularly to thoseemploying transformers in their operation.

It consists, in certain instances, of applying the current carried bythe secondary circuit of a transformer to'the operation of valves forcontrolling flows of fluid, for the operation of motors and translatingapparatus generally. In other instances it consists in employing theprimary current of transformers for such purposes.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a means for controllingthe flow of current in electric circuits employed to control flows offluid, and especially those fluids whose path of fiow is in the path ofthe controlling current.

In the accompanying drawings one of the forms which may be assumed byeach of the respective features of my invention is illustrated, it beingunderstood that the invention may be embodied in various other forms.

Other and further objects of my invention will become obvious, topersons skilled in the art, from a consideration of the followingdescription when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of anurinal embodying my invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of my inventionshowing a modified circuit arrangement; Figure 3 shows a general planView of apparatus embodying the feature of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters indicate like parts in the several figuresof the drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, 10 is an earthenware urinal bowl adapted to beflushed by operation of the valve 15 which controls the admission of theflushing fluid through the source of fluid supply 13. 24 is a valveenergizing circuit which receives current from an alternating currentgenerator 3, for which may be substituted any other suitable energizingmeans such, for instance, as an ordinary service main supplyingalternating current. This circuit also forms a primary for thetransformer 7. The secondary circuit 23, of this transformer, terminatesin the electrodes 21 and 22 disposed in the basin of the bowl 10forwhich bowl an overflow 11 is provided. Where desirable, additionalresist ance may be included in circuit 2 1.

Since urine is a good conductor of electricity, when deposited in thebowl 10, it will bridge the terminals 21 and 22 closing circurt 23, and,by operation of the transformer 7 and circuit 24, energize the valve 15.Upon operation of the valve 15 flushing water enters the bowl 110substituting itself for the waste which forms a conducting mediumbetween the terminals 21 and 22. Since water is a non-conductor ofelectricity, or, at least, a very poor one, the substitution of thisfluid for the Waste acts to de-energize the valve 15 therebyinterrupting the flow of fluid.

The adaptability of this system of control to apparatus of various typeswill appear obvious and I, therefore, do not limit myself to theparticular embodiment of Figure 1.

, The principles of transformer operation and construction are so wellknown that those skilled in the art will be able to provide transformerscapable of meeting the requirements of any particular case. For flushingpurposes, however, it is desirable to employ transformers havingcomparatively low secondary voltage and these may, or may not asdesired, be combined with the valve operatmg means.

As is well known, losses occur in transformers which impair theirefliciency. From this it follows that the strength of the current in theprimary is greater than that in the secondary. In other words, notransformer gives out an amount of energy equal to that which itreceives. In some cases this loss of energy is considerable but even incases where it is less it is an important factor. It dcve'lops from thisfact that motors, or apparatus for controlling electrical energy, orvarious translating apparatus, may be operated by using the powersupplied by the primary instead of that supplied by the secondarycircuit. Of course, in some cases it would be found desirable to usepower supplied by both circuits in conjunction. In the case previouslycited the secondary circuit might be said to function substantially as arelay, while the primary might be termed the work circuit.

It becomes evident that transformers might be designed with particularreference to the character of work to be performed. To this end it iseasily within the skill of those expert in the art to so design thetransformer that the proper, or desirable, wattage difference existsbetween the primary and secondary currents. Several elements would, ofcourse, enter into the designing of such transformers, includingimpedance, self-induction, reactance, magnetic or other screeningefi'ects, etc. Also a consideration of the effect which the secondarycurrent has of increasing the strength of the primary current.

From the foregoing description it becomes evident that the difference incurrent capable of being supplied by the primary in excess of thatsupplied by the secondarybecomes important, especially in connectionwith apparatus whose operation requires current in excess of thatcapable of being supplied by the secondary. In many cases a small excessof current in the primary over the secondary will enable apparatus to besatisfactorily operated which otherwise would require either larger, orpossibly, specially designed transformers, entailing additional cost.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the valve of Figure 1 arranged to beenergized by current supplied by the secondary circuit of a transformer.While, in this as in other cases, the current supplied by the secondaryis less than that supplied by the primary, it is, 110wever, suflicientfor operation of such devices as are, or would be employed, in flushingsystems, such as electrically operated valves, and particularly whenproperly designed valves are employed. The desirability of using thisarrangement in preference to that of Figure 1 would depend more or lessupon particular conditions and in some cases it might be purelyoptional.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a system of control embodying my invention. 3is an alter= nating current generator, for which may be substituted anyother suitable means such, for instance, as an alternating currentservice main. 2 is a motor connected by circuit 24 to any currentsupply, as above indicated, to perform any kind of work desired. Forthis motor may be substituted any translating device. 7 is a transformerwhich includes the primary circuit 24 and the circuit 19. Included inthe secondary circuit 19 is a rheostat 20 for which occasion mightrequire the substitution of any other electrical device such astranslating devices, or devices for controlling electrical energy, orrelays, etc.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. A flushing systemincluding; a transformer; a valve; energizing means common to said valveand said transformer; a source of liquid controlled by said valve; asecondary circuit for said transformer, said circuit being adapted tocontrol the operation of said valve.

2. A flushing system including; a transformer; a valve; energizing meanscommon to said valve and said transformer; a source of liquid controlledby said valve; a secondary circuit for said transformer, said secondarycircuit being adapted to be bridged by liquid supplied by said valve.

3. A flushing system including a transformer adapted to supply secondarycurrent at comparatively low voltage; a valve; means for energizing saidvalve and saidtransformer; a source of liquid controlled by said valve;

a secondary circuit connected to be energized 4 by said secondarycurrent, said secondary circuit being adapted to be bridged by liquidsupplied by said valve.

4. Means for controlling a flow of liquid including; a transformer; avalve; energizing means for said valve, said valve being arranged on theprimary side of said transformer in closed circuit relation with saidenergizing means; a secondary circuit for said transformer, saidsecondary circuit being adapted to control the operation of said Valve.1

5. A flushing system including; a transformer; energizing meanstherefor; a valve interposed between said energizing means and saidtransformer on the primary side of said transformer; a source of liquidcontrolled by said valve; a secondary circuit for said transformer, saidsecondary circuit being adapted to control the operation of said valve.

6. A flushing system including; a transformer; energizing meanstherefor; a valve in circuit with said energizing means, said energizingmeans being common to said transformer and said valve; a source ofliquid controlled by said valve; a secondary circuit for saidtransformer, said secondary circuit being adapted to control theoperation of said valve.

7. In combination; a transformer; a valve arranged on the primary sideof said transformer; energizing means common to said valve and saidtransformer; a fluid medium controlled by said valve; a secondarycircuit for said transformer, said secondary circuit being adapted tocontrol the operation of said valve.

8. An electrically controlled flushing system including a transformerdesigned to supply secondary current at comparatively low voltage; aprimary and a secondary circuit for said transformer; energizing meansfor the primary circuit, the secondary circuit being connected to beenergized by said secondary current; a valve in circuit with saidtransformer; a source of liquid controlled by said valve, said secondarycircuit being arranged to be bridged by liquid supplied by said valve.

9. An electrically controlled flushing system including a transformerdesigned to supply secondary current at comparatively low voltage; aprimary and a secondary circuit for said transformer; energizing meansfor the primary circuit, the secondary circuit being connected to beenergized by said secondary current; a valve so arranged in said systemthat its actuation is controlled by said sec- 1 ondary circuit; a sourceof liquid controlled by said valve, said secondary circuit being ar- 10ranged to be bridged by liquid supplied by said valve.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature at Seattle,Washington, this 27th day of September, 1919.

' EDGAR EARLE LITTLEFIELD.

